What government, employers and reps can do to challenge transphobia at work

Last week, Stonewall released a state of the nation assessment looking trans and gender non-binary peoples’ experiences in today’s Britain.

The findings highlight high levels of hate crime, violence and discrimination in almost every setting, from accessing public services to using public spaces, in education, and at work.

The report also found that trans and gender non-binary people often modify their behaviour to reduce the number of negative incidents they experience in everyday life.

For example, two in five trans people (40 per cent) adjust the way they dress because they fear discrimination or harassment, with this number increasing significantly to half of non-binary people (52 per cent).

Nearly half of trans people (48%) have experienced bullying or harassment at work

Almost a third (30%) of trans respondents have had their trans status disclosed against their will.

Seven in 10 trans respondents, saying that their experience of workplace harassment or discrimination had a negative effect on their mental health.

Almost 15% of LGBT+ respondents who experienced discrimination at work said that this came from a client or patient.

Unfortunately, with statistics as stark as these, it is often difficult to think, practically about how, when and where we can make a difference.

However, everyone can make a difference. For example, making a conscious effort to use the right pronouns and name when talking to a trans person or by learning more (and then challenging) the different forms of trans discrimination even individual action can have real impact.